A scene from 'Breathe: Into The Shadows', starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nithya Menen
A scene from 'Breathe: Into The Shadows', starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nithya Menen
A scene from 'Breathe: Into The Shadows', starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nithya Menen
A scene from 'Breathe: Into The Shadows', starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nithya Menen

Abhishek Bachchan on his role in Amazon's 'Breathe': 'I don’t feel like I’m done or depleted'


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As the follow up to the 2018 hit Amazon series Breathe, there was always going to be a lot of expectation around Breathe: Into The Shadows.

This increased exponentially, though, when it was announced that the series would star Abhishek Bachchan and Nithya Menen, two of the biggest names in Indian cinema.

Both make their digital debuts in the mystery crime thriller, too, which is further proof that the line between the big and small screen has never been thinner.

A scene from Amazon's mystery crime thriller
A scene from Amazon's mystery crime thriller

"When I started 20 years ago, one would never have thought that a medium like this would have opened up this kind of content," Bachchan tells The National, while Nenen admits that even she "couldn't believe the size of the production" on Breathe: Into The Shadows.

Such scale was necessary, too, as Bachchan and Menen play Avinash and Abha Sabharwal, a married couple that have to deal with a series of unusual and deeply dangerous ransom demands in order to get their kidnapped 6-year-old daughter back.

There were a lot of layers that we wanted to etch out. So there were a lot of discussions

They're joined in this pursuit by Breathe's Kabir Sawant, once again played by Amit Sadh, who leads the investigation into her abduction, while also contending with the hostile environment of the Delhi Crime Branch.

Bachchan spent several months undergoing “severe” preparation for his leading role, as he looked to map out Avinash’s complexities and nuances over the course of an entire season. Something that he found quite odd, as he’s only used to doing that over just one movie.

Bachchan spent several months preparing for his leading role
Bachchan spent several months preparing for his leading role

“We had so much more material to work with. Up until now I had only done feature films. They’re only two to three hours. This time I had 12 hours to fill. There were a lot of layers that we wanted to etch out. So there were a lot of discussions. A lot of debate. A lot of workshops that we all did together, all in order to refine the points of each character.”

Menen took a much different approach to Bachchan, though. While she obviously made sure that Abha wasn’t just a grieving mother, teasing a surprising hidden depth that’s incrementally revealed over each new episode, Menen preferred to work in the moment so that her performance could feel more authentic.

Bachchan and Menen play a married couple who have to deal with a series of unusual ransom demands in order to get their kidnapped daughter back
Bachchan and Menen play a married couple who have to deal with a series of unusual ransom demands in order to get their kidnapped daughter back

This meant that Menen would zone out just before each shot in order to “really process what was about to happen in the scene.” Thankfully, the cast and crew gave her the space to fully prepare, with Menen saying that every single member of the production team was “quality conscious” and had “evolved sensibilities” when it came to shooting.

Clearly this technique worked a treat, too. Menen is so overjoyed with her performance in Breathe: Into The Shadows that she has already called it the best of her career, which is all the more impressive when you consider that this marked her first role in a year.

For Bachchan, though, it is the potential global reach of Breathe: Into The Shadows that most excites him. The increasing success of streaming services means that the series is being released on Amazon in over 200 nations, as well as several different languages, all on the same day.

“Because of the internet, we get to show our work on a platform that really doesn’t have any borders. Anybody can consume it,” he says.

At the same time, Bachchan loves that the likes of Amazon only have to concentrate on the quality of their content, rather than adjusting it in order to lure an “audience to come to the cinema”.

Because of the internet, we get to show our work on a platform that really doesn't have any borders

“Their concentration is just on making very cool, cutting edge content. You just have to think about getting the right person to do the right job. That’s the big difference.”

Menen echoes these sentiments, even going as far as to admit that she never felt entirely comfortable starring in mainstream movies.

“This new digital medium makes me feel so hopeful. [It] caters to everyone’s personal preferences. It doesn’t matter if you like horror, thrillers, dramas, comedies, they make niche shows … I am a niche actor.”

“For someone like me, this is a nice and hopeful space. This gives me a lot more diverse characters to play. Which films don’t … I’ve been waiting for this all my life. I am feel very hopeful for myself for my future. I feel like there’s a lot more stuff to come.

Bachchan feels like he is just getting started, too. “I don’t feel like I’m done or depleted or that I have no more stories left to tell. I have the same amount of zeal and excitement as I had 20 years ago. I am looking forward to carrying on and doing a lot more work.”

All 12 episodes of Breathe: Into The Shadows are now available on Amazon

Brief scoreline

Switzerland 0

England 0

Result: England win 6-5 on penalties

Man of the Match: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS

Argentina 4 Haiti 0

Peru 2 Scotland 0

Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0

MATCH INFO

Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')

Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')

Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)

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Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule

12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)

2pm Formula One final practice 

5pm Formula One qualifying

6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.

The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.

All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.

No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

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Scoreline

Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'

Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'

Tenet

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh 

Rating: 5/5

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

While you're here
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'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai, 
HBKU Press 

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A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Bio

Age: 25

Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah

Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering

Favourite colour: White

Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai

Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.

First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.

Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points

2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45

9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35

10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The essentials

What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

When: Friday until March 9

Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.

Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.

Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
 

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

India Test squad

Virat Kohli (c), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Aston martin DBX specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Top speed: 291kph

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: Q2, 2020
 

MATCH INFO

Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)

Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
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Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors